News updates

On the 69th anniversary of the declaration of the State of Greater Lebanon (Lubnan al Kabir), the National Initiative for the Centenary of the Greater Lebanon organized yesterday a ceremony to honor Lebanese women pioneers within the state public departments, Lebanon’s women friends, UN women representatives, women ambassadors in Lebanon and university scientific research women pioneers. The ceremony which is part of the Lebanese Women 2020 program, ‘Lebanon a country of knowledge’, took place at the Parliament House in downtown Beirut under the patronage of House Speaker represented by MP Bahia Hariri. The latter underlined in her allocution that today’s event is an “opportunity to renew confidence in Lebanese women who carried the banner of education for decades of the country’s history, prompting, she added, the creation of the said program. Among the honored women, are, the Special UN Coordinator in Lebanon, Ambassador Siegrid Kag, the Head of the EU Delegation to Lebanon, Ambassador Kristina Lasson, the President of the Special Economic Zone in Tripoli, Raya Hassan, the State Inspector in the Central Inspection Department, Dalal Emile Barmat, the Director of UNIC, Margaret Helu, the President of AUST Hiyam Sakr, Acting Deputy Assistant of Academic Affairs at AUB, Hala Muhtasib, the Director of Political Sciences Institute at USJ, Fadia Kiwan, and the Director General of Cooperatives at the Agriculture Ministry, Gloria Abi Zeid. For the complete list of honored women, kindly visit the following link (http://bit.ly/2bOnRNA). (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, An Nahar, September 2, 2016)

 

The labor ministry issued yesterday a directive closing down and suspending the work of several offices recruiting migrant women domestic workers (MWDW) for clearly violating relevant laws. In its statement, the ministry clarified that the decision comes within the framework of regulating the work of recruiting agencies in observance and respect of human rights against all forms of trafficking. The statement noted that the majority of the problems employers face with domestic workers are caused by illegal offices who bring in labor through illicit and unqualified agents. Regarding the offices that have been temporarily closed by the ministry, these are: Centina, Asia Orient, Ghamra for trade, Hassan Hudroj, Diala trading, Talal Debaja for trade, Husseini for general trade and Pro services SARL. The ministry has also decided to shut down Berjawi Co for general trade in Sarafand, Saida in the South, and has taken the appropriate legal measures against it, the statement added. 

Al Diyar, September 1, 2016

 

The labor ministry issued yesterday a directive closing down and suspending the work of several offices recruiting migrant women domestic workers (MWDW) for clearly violating relevant laws. In its statement, the ministry clarified that the decision comes within the framework of regulating the work of recruiting agencies in observance and respect of human rights against all forms of trafficking. The statement noted that the majority of the problems employers face with domestic workers are caused by illegal offices who bring in labor through illicit and unqualified agents. Regarding the offices that have been temporarily closed by the ministry, these are: Centina, Asia Orient, Ghamra for trade, Hassan Hudroj, Diala trading, Talal Debaja for trade, Husseini for general trade and Pro services SARL. The ministry has also decided to shut down Berjawi Co for general trade in Sarafand, Saida in the South, and has taken the appropriate legal measures against it, the statement added. (Al Diyar, September 1, 2016)

 

The vice-President of the National Committee for the Follow-Up on Women’s Issues (NCFUWI), Afifa Sayyid, expressed yesterday her disappointment over the results of this year’s municipal elections in terms of women representation notwithstanding all the efforts that have been made in this direction. The outcomes, Sayyid mentioned, were not markedly different that those of the former elections of 2010. Sayyid was speaking during the joint assessment day organized by NCFUWI and ABAAD association, under the heading, ‘a review of the municipal elections… women’s success and the pervasive obstacles’. The OXFAM-supported event, was aimed to discuss ways of improving and strengthening women participation in elections, knowledge exchange and planning for the future. Participants reviewed digital data on women’s shares in the latest municipal elections based on a study prepared by both organizing parties.  OXFAM program director, Viviane Korsten, considered that this year’s elections have seen the participation of some 1519 women nominees, at a 13% increase from the 2010 elections. Korsten maintained that this was positive although women represent hardly 6.9% of the total number of candidates. For her part, Fahmiyeh Charefiddine, the NCFUWI president, said political participation of women is a priority to realize gender equality, as it is the only way to restore their rights, stating that alienating women from public administration is both a political and cultural orientation. (Al Mustaqbal, August 31, 2016)

 

In the framework of the regional program ‘HEYA’, the Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering (LWDG) organized yesterday a round table on ‘women trafficking in Lebanon’ at the municipality of Saida in the South. The program aims at supporting women in leadership, in partnership with the International Development Academy-MENA region and funds from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. In its opening speech, LWDG-Saida branch officer Bana Samra pointed out that the gathering has been jointly working with other democratic groups to help empower women in order to face all forms of discrimination against them and so as to realize gender equality.” Likewise, HEYA coordinator in Lebanon, Hayat Mershad, underlined the significance of the program in increasing the level of participation of women in public arenas leading to sustainable and just changes in legislations and policies to this effect, while not excluding the most vulnerable and marginalized of women. For his part, MP Michel Musa, citing the international report on human trafficking by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, said that 70% of victims are women and girls. Mussa added that trafficking that trafficking has multiple faces, notably, prostitution and exploiting women in promoting and publicizing of goods, as well as the marriage of minors. Mousa while mentioning the inadequacy of laws which only tend to support penal measures, pressed the need for devising preventive and protective mechanisms to help the victims. In conclusion, colonel Elie Asmar underscored the role of the internal security forces in identifying the victims of human trafficking in order to dismantle the criminal mafia networks. (An Nahar, August 31, 2016)

 

My Nationality is a Right for Me and My Family Campaign denounced yesterday a statement by foreign minister Jibran Bassil in which he refused the naturalization of Palestinians and Syrians, restricting this right to “our children and communities abroad,” and warning that “should the Lebanese identity melt away, Lebanon will to.” Bassil made his announcement during the launch on August 24th of a national campaign to restore the citizenship of descendants of Lebanese “fathers and grandfathers” in the world. He considered that every Lebanese expatriate notwithstanding his sect should reinstate his nationality. My Nationality campaign issued a statement strongly condemning such positions and the avalanche of disrespect and ridiculing of people. "This is not the first time ministers, deputies and politicians impart such racist declarations, notably minister Bassil, who uses every opportunity to spell out his plan rejecting the right of Lebanese women to grant citizenship to their families,” the statement said. “As if Lebanese women, your excellency, do not belong here, neither do their children. If your standards for the country’s endurance and continuity is maintaining its identity, how then, your excellency can Lebanon survive if you disregarded its women,” the statement added. Lebanon weakens and decays with the continuous marginalization and deprivation of the rights of women to full citizenship which is substantiated by discriminatory and unfair legislations and laws, the statement went on to say. The campaign also stressed that rights include the rights of women with no exceptions, and this is realized by endorsing their rights to nationality on the basis of full equality between citizens, men and women, away from any discretionary attempts. “The priority must be for Lebanese women and their families before any descendent living anywhere in the world,” the statement concluded. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Hayat, August 30, 2016

 

The BLC bank won three regional awards for its comprehensive commitment and support of women empowerment and development of business environment. The first of the awards which was organized by the US Commerce Department carried the title of the ‘best bank in the Middle East and North Africa backing enterprises led or owned by women for 2016’. According to the bank’s statement, the BLC was selected, during a meeting last March in Egypt, amongst 9 MENA countries, namely, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia. CPI Financial, Banker Middle East organized the other two awards: ‘the best bank for the empowerment of women’ and the ‘the best bank achieving a shift in the business environment’. The latter, the statement noted, came as a result of the BLC’s impressive accomplishments in terms of growth and profitability maintained by progressive programs bound for the empowerment of women, small and medium enterprises as well as retail or consumer banking services. (Al Diyar, August 29, 2016)

 

In its edition of today, L’Orient Le Jour shed light on an eatery, “Ammol's”, in the heart of Londonrun by a British Lebanese woman, a mother of four, who emigrated from the southern town ofMarje3yoon during the civil war. Amal Farha-Oakx underlined the main incentive for opening her business which is to familiarize the British public with the traditional culinary delicacies of her home country, particularly the southern healthy and mouth-watering cuisine. Speaking to L’Orient Le Jour reporter, Amal boasted her specialty recipes which she learned from her mother at home and which have helped her nurture treasured customers abroad. Amoul’s, according to the British glossy magazine, Tatler, was classified among the best 300 diners in the British capital, and has won the acclamation of the famous food critic Jay Rayner, besides winning a five star accreditation from the leading trip advisor travel site. Amal said that she has no intention or plans to open another branch for her restaurant, stressing that she prepares the food from scratch and all by herself, but said she could expand the pool of services offered. Expressing her pleasure for the outstanding turnout, she added that the place and food appeal to the young Lebanese generation residing in England. (L’Orient Le Jour, August 22, 2016)

In a progressive and unprecedented move in the Arab world, the Tunisian Prime Minister announced last Saturday the formation of a youth par excellence cabinet with a large women representation. The newly appointed 26-member government comprises 8 high-caliber women and 14 portfolios for youth, including 5 ministers under 35 years of age. This measure came after less than two weeks from the Tunisian Parliament’s endorsement of a draft law supporting penal action against harassers of women in public places. (http://bit.ly/2bo2yS).

 

For the first time in the history of Tunisian governments, women are granted 8 ministerial portfolios, most were in the past restricted to men, as follows:

 

- Minister of sports and youth: Majdoline Sharny, 35 years, bachelors in architecture from the National College of Engineering and Construction.

 

-Minister if Health: Samira Meri’i, 53 years, doctor and associate professor of pulmonary diseases at the School of Medicine, Tunisia

 

- Minister of energy, mines and renewable Energy:, Hala Sheikh Ruho, 44 years, professorship degree in finance from the Higher Institute of Economic Studies, Tunisia, masters from Montreal University, Canada, has occupied a number of senior international posts

 

- Minister of finance: Lamia Zareebi, 55 years, last degree from the National School of management, bachelors in economic studies

 

- Minister of family, women’s and child’s rights: Naziha Obeidi, bachelors in education, professorship in modern languages, masters in education from Sorbonne University.

 

- Minister of tourism: Salma Lumi, masters in acting

 

-  State clerk for youth: Taten Kalal, degree from Cartage University and Paris, worked as adviser in many international offices inside Tunisia

 

- State clerk for professional formation: Sayida Lunissi, 29 years, degree in history, masters in political sciences from the Sorbonne, Renaissance Movement MP at the Tunisian Parliament.

 

(As Safir, August 22, 2016)

In an interesting feature today, Al Hayat newspaper tackled the recent crackdown on the burkini full body swimsuit for women designed by an Australian Lebanese designer, pointing to the mounting furor in France under the pretext of secularism, security or gender equality. The newspaper wrote that Aheda Zanetti, owner of the trademark burkini and employer of tens of workers, has spelled out her surprise towards the disparaging and silly controversy criticizing or supporting her line of fashion. “Every person has the right to express themselves the way they choose, as long as it does not harm other people,” Aheda maintained. Some people, she added, have a preference for the culture of nudity while others opt for decency, which she explained, “does not mean isolation from society.” While the swim wear is designed for Muslim women, it does not clash with western culture, Al Hayat cited Zanetti as saying, mentioning that the burkini allows Muslim women to “mix with others, enjoy swimming and the beach and live the joy of freedom.” “I cannot understand the reason behind this antagonist campaign which inspires women to enjoy the sun and light,” Zanetti said, pointing out that the idea for the design emanated from a need and desire shared by many Muslim women living in the West and wanting to practice water sports. She categorically denied any political or extremist grounds behind her creation, stressing that the burkini gives way to a fair blend between Muslim and Occidental cultures. “Freedom, flexibility and confidence combined best describe the design launched back in 2004 before becoming a swimwear on demand by women across the globe,” Aheda boasted. In conclusion, Zanetti told Al Hayat reporter that the made up rumpus against the burkini shall not affect its trade; on the contrary, it has attracted more publicity for her products with sales soaring by 40% (some 700 pieces have been sold between 2007 and 2016). (Al Hayat, August 25, 2016)